Top Gear's James May teams up with Madison Welch for the Majorca rally

He has long been the victim of a never-ending succession of jokes about his bachelor status.

But now it seems that James May has had the last laugh - the 46-year-old presenter's partner on Top Gear's latest expedition overseas is none other than glamour model Madison Welch.

The mismatched pair teamed up to race a 1970 Citreon Ami 8 in the fifth Majorca Classic Car Rally, which wound its way through some of the Mediterranean island's stunning scenery between March 18 and 21.

Smooth operator: James May and his co-pilot, glamour model Madison Welch, prepare to begin the Majorca Classic Car Rally

May's Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond were also on hand to drive their own vintage cars around the course.

They no doubt also found time to make plenty of jokes about the identity of May's co-pilot.

Clarkson whizzed his way around the island in a 1979 Austin Healy Sprite, while Hammond commandeered a 1970 Austin FX4.

The rally was filmed by a BBC crew for the forthcoming series of Top Gear later this spring.

Teammates: Madison and James took part in the rally in a 1970 Citreon Ami 8

Organiser Javier Beltran said: ' This is a unique location for a classic rally and we’ve been after Top Gear for the past few months and they recently agreed to come and not only film the rally but take part.'

For a vehicle to be eligible to enter the rally it must be a pre-1981 model.

Clarkson and Hammond's nickname for May is Captain Slow, on account of his careful driving style.

Michelle relaxes with a cold drink, while Jeremy Clarkson enjoys a cigarette

Despite this, May has carried out some exceptionally high-speed driving, including topping out a Bugatti Veyron during one memorable episode back in 2007.

The star has recently been on a mission travelling around Britain in a decrepit old caravan with wine writer Oz Clarke.

The programme Oz And James Drink To Britain was screened on BBC2 recently and saw the duo travel the country in search of the best-tasting alcohol.

Luckily, it appeared that was not James's mission as he sat astride his green bike.

A tired Richard Hammond catches up on his sleep in the passenger seat of his 1970 Austin FX4

On the road again: Jeremy and his co-pilot raced in a 1979 Austin Healy Sprite

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Top Gear's James May teams up with Madison Welch for the Majorca rally